Courteeners marked their 20th anniversary with a gig at Manchester's Night & Day Café on April 11, debuting new single 'The Luckiest Man Alive' from their upcoming compilation 'God Bless The Band'. Frontman Liam Fray spoke about the band's longevity and plans for a stylistic shift on their next album. The band also announced a UK arena tour for November.
Courteeners returned to Manchester's Night & Day Café for the first time since 2007, playing an intimate show at the 250-capacity venue in the Northern Quarter on Saturday, April 11. The performance launched their career-spanning 'best of' collection 'God Bless The Band', set for release on August 28 via Ignition Music. Announced on April 9 alongside new track 'The Luckiest Man Alive', the album includes hits such as 'Bide Your Time', 'Modern Love' and 'Not Nineteen Forever', plus another new song 'Plus One Forever' which debuted during the set. Fray introduced it by saying, “This one’s for the boring dickheads who moan about their wives.” The set drew heavily from their 2008 debut 'St. Jude', featuring tracks like 'Aftershow', 'Kimberley', 'Cavorting', 'The 17th', 'Smiths Disco' and 'Lose Control', with an encore of 'Are You In Love With A Notion?', 'Not Nineteen Forever' and 'What Took You So Long?'. Fray thanked fans for “changing our lives” and urged support for independent venues like Night & Day, which faced closure threats in 2014 and 2021. The band rehearsed there in the early 2010s, with Fray calling it “our home” and “a really important stitch in the fabric of the city.” Speaking to NME ahead of the gig, Fray described the band's survival as “a fucking miracle,” adding, “20 years is not to be sniffed at. This industry will kick the shit out of you.” He revealed the next album will be a “left turn” from 2024's 'Pink Cactus Café', avoiding a rush after direct pop songs. Courteeners also announced a November UK arena tour, donating £1 plus VAT per ticket to the LIVE Trust supporting grassroots venues. Tour dates include Alexandra Palace in London on November 14.
